Unlike the Great Litany, in which petitions are for the whole world, all groups of people in all places, in the Litany of Fervent Supplication the petitions are specifically for people who, either directly or indirectly, are involved in the local church community: the ruling bishop(s), clergy, the civil authorities & armed forces, brother and sister parishioners, the departed of the community, and all who labor for the well-being of the Church. The unique three-fold Lord have mercy responses give this litany its Fervent title, and therefore it is sometimes known as the "Triple Litany."

The Litany of Fervent Supplication begins by asking God for mercy:

"Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy."

Next, the petitions mention specific members of the community:

the ruling bishop(s)

the civil authorities and armed forces

the members of the local community

the departed members of the local community

those who labor for the health of the local community

The exclamation (doxology) glorifies the "merciful God" which "loves mankind."

Vespers

Matins

At Daily Matins the Litany of Fervent Supplication is found at the end of the service, but at Resurrectional (Sunday) or Festal Matins it precedes the "morning" Litany of Supplication near the end of the service.